Evaluation and evidence workshop train the trainer resources

These resources have been designed to deliver two workshops in the West of England, ‘Finding the evidence’ and ‘Getting started in evaluation’. The workshops were developed alongside two online toolkits, ‘Evidence Works‘ and ‘Evaluation Works‘.

We have made these resources freely available to the NHS nationally, to spread good practice. They are for staff in the health and social care sectors to learn more about evidence and evaluation, and as a refresher to those who have already attended a workshop.

The resources were created by staff from CLAHRC West and the West of England Academic Health Science Network, with technical support from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).

You can view them in any order, but when run sequentially, they make up the full content of our successful workshops.

What is evidence-informed commissioning?

This short video gives you real-world insight into evidence-informed commissioning, from people working in the West of England. It explains why it is so important in our current climate. (Duration: 3:20)

Workshop 1: Finding the evidence

Finding the evidence workshop slides (PPT)
Slides from the ‘Finding the evidence’ workshop, delivered to clinical commissioning groups in the West of England. These may be adapted for use by other presenters and speaker notes are included. NIHR CLAHRC West should be acknowledged if these slides are used or adapted.

What is the Evidence Works toolkit?
This short video shows you round the Evidence Works toolkit. (Duration: 4:02)﻿

How do I get started with searching for evidence?
Firstly, to get started with an evidence search it is helpful to understand how to phrase your search question. Using the ‘PICO’ framework will help you. This is explained in this short, animated video. The explanation is based on the topic ‘exercise in older people’, but can be applied to any topic. This video was produced by UWE, Bristol and is reproduced with their permission. (Duration: 5:57)

Secondly, watch and listen to a demonstration by an expert information specialist, to learn how to get started with searching for evidence using the databases accessible via NHS Evidence. (Duration: 9:24)﻿

Workshop 2: Getting started in evaluation

Getting started in evaluation slides (PPT)
Slides from the ‘Getting started in evaluation’ workshop, delivered to clinical commissioning groups in the West of England. These may be adapted for use by other presenters and speaker notes are included.

What is evaluation, and why is it important for quality improvement?
This animated Lego video is the first in a series of three. It succinctly explains what evaluation is, how it differs from monitoring and how it links with quality improvement. If you are delivering evaluation training, you may wish to show it within the sessions. (Duration: 2:57)

How do I start to plan my evaluation?
The evaluation cycle is a five-step cycle, detailing an approach to planning and carrying out your evaluation. These two short videos explain steps one and two of the evaluation cycle, ‘identify and understand’ and ‘assess’. They explain how to get started with planning, to build a strong foundation for your evaluation.
Step 1: Identify and understand (Duration: 3:16)

Step 2: Assess (Duration: 1:53)

What should I consider when planning my evaluation?
This is the second of three animated Lego videos. It outlines the many factors that are important to consider when planning your evaluation. (Duration: 4:08)

How do I write my aims and objectives?
In this video you will learn how to write ‘smart’ aims and objectives, the secret to a successful evaluation. You can use this as a useful guide for yourself, or, if you are delivering a face-to-face evaluation workshop, as the basis of a practical group activity within step three (plan).
Step 3: Plan (Duration: 3:49)

What are the different approaches to collecting data in an evaluation?This video includes another activity you can run in your face-to-face workshop. It is effective in helping to highlight the different ways of approaching data collection in an evaluation, and their pros and cons – all through tasting and describing grapes!
Step 4: Do (Duration: 5:33)

The third and final animated Lego video considers tools that are available for your evaluation, and different approaches. (Duration: 3:38)

If you want to use these materials to deliver a workshop and have any queries, please contact Jo Bangoura on j.bangoura@nhs.net.

We are very grateful to Michael Harris, Learning Technologist, UWE Bristol for his time and expertise in producing the Evaluation Works steps videos.